Some County Primary Races Still Too Close to Call (Updated)

Maryland’s gubernatorial primary election may have been last Tuesday, but some primary races are still too close to call. Election results won’t be certified until absentee and provisional ballots are tallied and all votes are certified, a process that could take several weeks. Here are some races we’re watching:

Montgomery County Executive, Democratic Primary

Councilmember Mark Elrich leads David Blair by 149 votes.

Update: Montgomery County election officials declared Councilman Elrich the winner of the Democratic primary —  by just 80 votes. Maryland law does not require automatic recounts, but because Elrich’s margin of victory is razor-thin — less than 0.1 percent, David Blair may petition for a recount without having to foot the bill.

Baltimore County Executive, Democratic Primary

Johnny Olszewski leads Senator Jim Brochin by 42 votes. Councilmember Vicki Almond is in third place, trailing by more than 1,000 votes.

Update: Baltimore County election officials have declared former Delegate Johnny Olszewski the winner of the Democratic primary — by just nine votes. Maryland law does not require automatic recounts, but because Olszewski’s margin of victory is razor-thin — less than 0.1 percent — Senator Brochin may petition for a recount without having to foot the bill.

Howard County Council, District 1 Democratic Primary

Incumbent Councilmember John Weinstein leads Elizabeth Walsh by 37 votes.

Update: Elizabeth Walsh was declared the winner of the District 1 Democratic primary – by just two votes. Maryland law does not require automatic recounts, but because Walsh’s margin of victory is razor-thin — less than 0.1 percent — incumbent Councilmember Weinstein may petition for a recount without having to foot the bill.

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner, At-Large Republican Primary

Incumbent Commissioner Jim Moran leads Helen Bennett by 44 votes.

Update: Queen Anne’s County election officials declared incumbent Commissioner At-Large Jim Moran the winner of the Republican primary. Moran defeated Helen Bennett by 52 votes.

Talbot County Council, Republican Primary

Incumbent Councilmember Laura Price leads Lisa Ghezzi by 23 votes.

Update: Incumber Councilmember Laura Price edged out Lisa Ghezzi by 36 votes to earn a spot on the ballot in November’s general election.